As her ex, Justin Bieber, tries to Tweet his way through endless damage control, Selena Gomez may be slowly building a career that lasts.

On the surface there's no comparison in their levels of fame - math as simple as 35 million Twitter followers for the Biebs versus 14 million for Gomez.

But Gomez may have the smarter career plan. Like that other Justin, Timberlake, she has put pop music on hold and embraced acting. She was in no fewer than three movies at last fall's Toronto International Film Festival - starring with James Franco in indie darling Harmony Korine's comedy/crime drama Spring Breakers (which is rolling out in theatres over the next few weeks), voicing the female lead in Hotel Transylvania and appearing in the horror film Aftershock.

They're small steps, but without huge expectations as an actress, she has the luxury of going the indie route and building a not-so-blazing-overnight career.